Product Description

One big advantage Photoshop professionals have always had was the understanding of channels. It was their secret weapon, and it enabled them to do things, and work in an entirely different way than their competitors, and maybe that's why the secret power of Photoshop's channels has been such a closely guarded secret. Until now.

Award-winning, bestselling author Scott Kelby (Editor of Photoshop User magazine) shows you how to unlock the power of Photoshop's Channels and really start using Photoshop like a pro. But this isn't a book of theory and technical explanations, this is a step-by-step project-based book that will teach you exactly how to the pros use  channels in their everyday work (Using channels is one of the secrets they use to get twice the work done in half the time).

You'll learn how today's top photographers and graphic designers employ channels to make impossible selections, to speed their production workflow, to color correct images, to mask images, to create stunning color to black and white conversions, and to do dozens of inside tricks that set them apart from the field. There's a reason there's always been a mystique to using channels, and why Photoshop users who understand and use them stay on the cutting edge. Now, their secrets are revealed using the same plain-English style that has made Scott one of the leading Photoshop authors and instructors in the world today.

You'll be amazed at not only what you're able with channels, but you'll love the competitive advantage that using channels will give you. If you're ready to take your Photoshop skills to the next level, you're holding the book that will take you there, and you're gonna love it! 

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #364115 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Back Cover

One big advantage Photoshop professionals have always had was the understanding of channels. It was their secret weapon, and it enabled them to do things, and work in an entirely different way than their competitors, and maybe that's why the secret power of Photoshop's channels has been such a closely guarded secret. Until now.

Award-winning, bestselling author Scott Kelby (Editor of Photoshop User magazine) shows you how to unlock the power of Photoshop's Channels and really start using Photoshop like a pro. But this isn't a book of theory and technical explanations, this is a step-by-step project-based book that will teach you exactly how to the pros use  channels in their everyday work (Using channels is one of the secrets they use to get twice the work done in half the time).

You'll learn how today's top photographers and graphic designers employ channels to make impossible selections, to speed their production workflow, to color correct images, to mask images, to create stunning color to black and white conversions, and to do dozens of inside tricks that set them apart from the field. There's a reason there's always been a mystique to using channels, and why Photoshop users who understand and use them stay on the cutting edge. Now, their secrets are revealed using the same plain-English style that has made Scott one of the leading Photoshop authors and instructors in the world today.

You'll be amazed at not only what you're able with channels, but you'll love the competitive advantage that using channels will give you. If you're ready to take your Photoshop skills to the next level, you're holding the book that will take you there, and you're gonna love it! 

About the Author

Scott Kelby is President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) as well as Editor-in-Chief of both Photoshop User and Mac Design magazines. Scott also serves as Training Director for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour and is the Technical Chair of the PhotoshopWorld conference. Scott has written numerous books on Photoshop and is the creator of the best-selling Killer Tips series.

Customer Reviews

Photoshop Channels understood
This book explains how to use channels in an easy and practical way. I did not know so much could be achieved using channels and with relatively little effort.

The chapter on Colour to Black & White is very informative in showing various ways to achieve very good black & white images. All easy to use.

An outstanding book and the best I have bought on using Photoshop; that includes other books by the same author.

Channels Wow! Factor
Having little or no experience of using channels, I found this book opened up a new dimension in using photoshop CS2. I have enjoyed immensely going through this book, the step by step tutorials is excellent, easy to follow and written in a language that is suitable for beginner, and intermediate user. A very good reference tool, a must for anyone wishing to progress in using photoshop. If I could give it a 10 out of 10, I would. Scott Kelby, is a super writer, I like his style, the technique he uses simplifies the technology, making it an enjoyable experience. This book definately deserves the Wow! factor. Thanks Scott!

Quite a lot of good information. Poorly delivered.
I had high hopes for this book and, as far as explaining the material covered, most of them were fulfilled... so why does it get only three stars?

Because I thought I was buying a book on a technical aspect of Photoshop (= channels), not a book on lame jokes (and excuses about them such as "sorry, I was drunk when I wrote that intro)!
This is probably the most unprofessionally written book I ever bought on Photoshop (and I started with PS4, so believe me I bought a load) and it's so irritating that I'm writing my first review here to vent it out.

When it comes to tech details, Kelby is a proper author, explaining from his experience in a clear and easy to understand manner. If you took away all the chapter introductions, and the unnecessary prose Kelby produces, you'd have a good solid book, probably 30/35 pages smaller but well worth it.

Too bad that the author just had to play the comedy card: remember the jolly uncle that is funny for approximately two minutes, while after 10 you are ready to strangle him? Imagine READING it and knowing that instead of learning you're wasting time!
And I bet mr Kelby laughed all the way home from his editor thinking about how people finally would be able to read and re-read his WONDERFUL prose.

A couple of times throughout the book Kelby suggests other authors, one of which is Katrin Eismann. While on photoshop I'm sure he doesn't need any tips, I strongly advise him to take lessons from her regarding writing style.